Pneumatic insole



May 26, 1925. 1,539,199

M. J. MERRIHEW PNEUMATIC INSOLE Filed Jan. 1924 Patented May 26, 1925.

UNITED STATES PNEUMATIC InsoLE.

Application filed January To all 1072 it may concern:

Re it known that I, hilAsoN J. Mnnnmnw,

' a citizen of the United States, residing at Avalon, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Pneumatic Insoles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to pneumatic insoles, and has for its object to provide an insole to be worn inside of ordinary boots and shoes for the purpose of reducing or absorbing shock or discomfort of contact in a shoe or boot while the wearer is walking or standing.

Another object is to provide a substantial, sectional, foot-shaped insole of hollow form and containing an inflatable airbag.

Other objects and advantages will be made manifest in the following specifica tion of an embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a bottom plan of'the insole.

Fig. 2 is a view showing the two sections of the sole folded away from the observer to facilitate the insertion of the inflatable bag.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the insole showing the bag partly broken away.

Fig. 4 is a somewhat enlarged detail sectional view showing attachment of the upper layer of the insole to the bottom element.

Fig. 5 is a plan showing fragments of the separated bottom plate.

The insole consists of a bottom plate preferably of thin material and consisting of a heel section 2 and a ball and toe section 3. These sections are adapted to substantially abut at transverse edges on the line 4, Fig. 1, and in order to prevent the sections 2 and 3 from overlapping each other, one of the sections is provided with a lug 5, Fig. 5, and the other with a socket 6 to receive the lug, so that when the sections are assembled the one is prevented from shifting over the other.

The insole includes an upper or top portion 7, preferably of flexible material con forming to the outline of the metallic sole 2-3, and the upper portion is here shown as lapped around the edge of the sole sections and into and under a marginal hook 8 provided on the bottom of the sole sections to receive the entered marginal portions 9 of the sole top 7 as in Fig. 4:.

7, 1924. Serial No.'684,826.

A feature of the invention consists of means providing a pneumatic cushion in the insole, and such means consist of an inflatable bag 10 of a form corresponding in outline to the outline of the sole structin'e. The inflatable bag 10 is preferably of air tight material such as'rubber,and it is provided with a valve or nozzle 11, which is adapted to be exposed in the arch portion 2 of the sole section 2. This section is shown as provided with an inwardly extending open mouth slot 12 so that when the sections 2-3 are relatively folded or positioned by bending the plates rearwardly from their joint line 41 by flexing the top material 7, there is then provided a transverse aperture from edge to edge of the relatively folded sections 2-3 enabling the tucking in of the toe portion and the heel portion of the rubber bag 10. During the insertion of the bag the filling nozzle or valve projection 11 is inserted down into the slot 12 to the position shown in Fig. 1.

From the above it will be seen that I have provided a pneumatic insole which includes a wear-taking, foot-receiving top or upper 7 secured marginally around the under-marginal portion of the sole 23, therefore without presenting any uncomfortable seams or shoulders on the top of the insole.

Also I have provided a renewable, by

PATENT OF'FiCE'.

virtue of its being removable, inflating bag insertable into the hollow insole structure and inflatable to the desired degree to provide a comfortable and soft foot support,

which not only protects the foot against a shock incidental to walking in stifl' shoes or boots, but also provides an insole which will conform perfectly to the contour of the foot bottom when inserted in a shoe or boot in which the improved pneumatic insole is placed.

Further embodiments, modifications and variations may be resorted to within the principle of the invention.

What is claimed is: I

1. An inner sole to be worn within footwear, comprising a sole-shaped receptacle, a downwardly extending rim formed on the bottom of said receptacle adapted to engage the inside of the outer sole, and a pneumatic cushion disposed within said receptacle.

2. An inner sole adapted to be positioned within foot-wear comprising an upper portion, a bottom portion secured to said upper portion and adapted to be disposed adjacent the outer sole, a pneumaticcushion disposed between said upper and bottom portions,and a nozzle for cushion, Said nozzleprojecting through said bottom portion, said bottom portion being upwardly concaved about said nozzle. 1

3. An inner sole adapted to be Worn Within foot-Wear comprising a flexible upper portion, a bottom portion secured to said upper portion and adapted to be positioned adjacent the outer sole, said bottom portion including a toe sectionand a heel section disposed in abutting relation to each other," means including a lug and a recess formed in said sections for maintaining them in abutting relation to each other, and

a cushion disposed between the bottom and upper portions.

4. An inner sole adapted to be worn with in footear comprising an upper portion, a bottom portion secured to said upper portion and adapted to be disposed adjacent the outer sole, said bottom portion being divided into a separable toe section and a heel section normally retained in abutting relation, and a pneumatic cushion disposed between said bottom portion and said upper portion having a downwardly extending nozzle extending through one of said sections. a i

In testimony whereof I haye signed my name to this specification.

MASON J. MERRIHEVY. 

